Training Tip: Approach and Retreat Over Obstacles

Most horses will try to stop and back away from an unfamiliar object initially because they’re nervous and unsure of the situation. If you think your horse is going to stop in nine steps, stop him in eight steps. Then back him away from the object using the Outback Exercise – wiggle the rope using just your finger and continue to increase the pressure as necessary. You’re going to send the horse forward and backwards. Ask him to go forward, and before he stops by himself, stop him and back him away. Then send him forward again and try to get him to come a little closer to the object.

The trick is to stop him before he wants to stop. That way, stopping is always your idea. The more you retreat, the more you act like you don’t want him to go near the object and the more curious the horse becomes. The more you tell a horse not to do something, the more he’ll want to do it. So the more you keep stopping the horse from going over the object, the more it increases his curiosity. If he stops and starts backing away before you ask, use the Handy Stick and string to apply pressure toward his hindquarters. As soon as he tries to come forward, even a little bit, immediately reward him by taking the pressure away. Then back him away a few steps and try again.